Boys swimming takes fourth at Heights Invitational
January 22, 2018
Maize boys took fourth place on Saturday at the Wichita Heights Invitational with 211 points. Wichita East placed first with 330.5 points. Some other attending schools were Wichita South, Hutchinson, Wichita Trinity, Wichita North and McPherson.
Maize took first in the 200 yard freestyle relay, with a time of 1:34.22, and third in the 400 yard freestyle relay, with a time of 3:31.37.
Junior Nicholas Vasilescu said the main goal for the season isn’t winning every meet.
“We may lose a couple meets here and there,” he said. “But that’s not what we’re working for. Our goal here is to win state. That’s all that matters to us. And we’re going to keep putting in our hard work and dedication each and every single day.”
Much like Vasilescu, Senior Jackson Williams and Assistant Coach Jeremy Bernard said they feel the main for this season is to win, or at least perform well, at State.
“It’s been more of a struggle this year than in past years,” said Williams. “Last year we lost a lot of really good swimmers and it’s just been difficult to make up that space.”
Bernard said the younger swimmers have stepped up and have improved greatly, even though there have been a few road bumps.
“We’ve had some injuries and some illnesses,” he said. “But we’re doing really well. We’re working hard and training for the end of the season.”
Throughout the season, Vasilescu said he personally had improved his techniques.
“I’m learning how to become a faster breaststroker,” he said. “I’m planning to come back next year and [cutting] everyone’s times [and] win state.”
Williams said most people don’t know how hard swimming and improving your swimming technique is.
“Everyone’s like: ‘Ah, swimming is a hobby,’” He said. “No, it’s not, swimming is one of the hardest sports out there. Nobody really understands that. [Swimming’s] very difficult … but at the same time whenever you leave practice every day you’re like: ‘yeah, I’m a swimmer.’”
